Members of the Pading Tang Buddhist association parade around Sanchaung township last month to show well-wishers the gold leaf they will donate to Shwedagon Pagoda in December 6. Pic: Supplied

THREE local Buddhist associations that organise offerings of gold leaf to Shwedagon Pagoda are making donations this year of 62 gold leaves, each measuring one square foot in size, with a total value of nearly K100 million.

U Than Lwin, the president of the Setana Thambara Association based in Yangon’s Kyeemyindaing township, said each leaf contains 3 ticals (1 tical equals 16.25 grams) of gold and is worth K1.56 million.

He said his association made its 58th donation to the pagoda on November 22, contributing 19 sheets of gold leaf using funds collected from donors during the Lent season that ended in October.

“Our ancestors made a ritual of offering gold leaf to Shwedagon, as well as conducting other religious activities. We consider this to be our religious duty and we hope to be able to donate more gold leaf next year,” he said.

U Than Lwin said that besides the annual gold leaf donation, the association also gave K5.5 million to Shwedagon to repair damage caused by cyclone Nargis earlier this year.

Setana Thambara was founded in 1907 by residents of Bawga Street in Kyeemyindaing township. Up to last year – the association’s 100th anniversary – members had donated a total of 316 gold leaves weighing a total of 12 viss (1 viss equals 1.6 kilograms, or 3.6 pounds) and 96 ticals over the years.

Pading Tang, another Buddhist association based in Kyeemyindaing township and founded in 1928, plans to donate 28 gold leaves containing 84 ticals of gold to Shwedagon Pagoda on December 6, said association member U Tin Win.

It will be the 67th donation by the group, which over the years has given 570 leaves containing a total of 17 viss and 10 ticals of gold. U Tin Win said the association collects money to buy gold leaf from well-wishers in nearby townships, and also keeps money in the bank to earn interest for buying gold leaf.

“We have also donated five copies of the Tripitaka [collection of Buddhist canonical works] to the pagoda,” he said.

A third group, called Ratanattaya and based in Sanchaung township since its founding in 1934, will make its 58th donation of gold leaf to Shwedagon on December 21.

“We will offer 15 sheets of gold leaf this year. This is less than other associations, but we are trying to increase the amount every year,” said U Aung Thein, the secretary of the association.

“We offer as much gold leaf as we can and we admire other groups that can donate more, but we don’t compare ourselves with them because that would be inappropriate in the context of performing religious duties,” he said.

“What is most important is the spirit in which the donation is given, not the quantity or quality,” U Aung Thein said.

Ratanattaya uses a unique method of raising money, by distributing piggy banks to homes so residents can save their spare money for the purchase of gold leaf.

Since its founding in 1934, the group has donated 174 sheets of gold leaf weighing a total of 76 ticals.